'Sherlock' Returning with Four New Episodes Starting in 2015

Fans of Sherlock, rejoice! The BBC has confirmed that the hit series, which stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as the super sleuthing duo of Sherlock Holmes and Watson, will return next year with a special, and then a three episode Season 4 in 2016. The wait between each season of Sherlock seems to get longer, as Cumberbatch and Freeman continue to become bigger stars with high profile projects, but it’s good to see that there’s hope to try and make the fans happy by doing a special between season 3 and 4. It’s not a lot, but it’s enough to get me excited for what’s to come.

Season 3 of Sherlock certainly ended with quite a bang, and I’m very excited to see where the show is going to go from here. It really does get hard waiting between each season, but I’m really glad to see that Cumberbatch and Freeman are getting the recognition for their acting they deserve, and they’re able to pull so many great projects between each season. Steven Moffat, the show runner and co-creator of the series, has his hands full as well, as he’s also currently running the incredibly popular series Doctor Who, which is seeing the start of its Eighth Season this summer, and he’s already begun work on next year’s Ninth Season, which will see Peter Capaldi taking over as the Doctor, picking up the mantle for Matt Smith. It’s good to see that Moffat, Cumberbatch, and Freeman haven’t turned their back on the show, even with all the things they’re doing right now, and I can’t wait to see them come back together for Season 4.

Check out the full press release below:

Sherlock, the hit BBC One drama produced by Hartswood Films, will return to screens for a Special, followed by a series of three new episodes. The last series saw Sherlock’s life change a lot – he returned from the dead, his best friend John Watson married Mary Morstan and he met his match in Charles Augustus Magnussen. After the briefest of exiles, Sherlock came back only to face one of his biggest mysteries yet. Why is Moriarty’s face being broadcast on every television in the land?

Speaking about the return of the series, co-creator, writer and executive producer Steven Moffat says: “A special, plus a new series of three episodes – it’s a record-breaking run! Of course, it’s far too early to say what’s coming, but we’re reasonably confident that the very next thing to happen to Sherlock and John, is the very last thing you’d expect…”

Co-creator, writer and executive producer Mark Gatiss, adds: “Series Four! At last ! It’s always special to return to Sherlock but this time it’s even more special as we’re doing… a Special! Not only THAT, we’ll then be shooting three more episodes which will take Sherlock and John Watson into deeper and darker water than ever before. The whole Sherlock team are terrifically excited to return for four new adventures. The Game is on – again!”

Sue Vertue, Executive Producer, Hartswood Films says: “It’s taken a little while to get the dates sorted as none of the boys are exactly sitting back twiddling their thumbs but there was unanimous goodwill to make this work, so we’re thrilled that 221b is going to be inhabited again.”

Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One, says: “It’s a very good day in the life of a BBC One Controller when you can announce Sherlock will return for a special plus a new three-part series. Massive thanks to Sue Vertue and Hartswood Films for pulling this off, it’s no mean feat pinning down some of this country’s most brilliant and in-demand actors and writers.”

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama, says: “Steven and Mark are ready to unleash the most shocking and surprising series of Sherlock yet. The only thing to expect is the unexpected…”

Sherlock is written and created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, and inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock is produced by Sue Vertue and the executive producers are Beryl Vertue, Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat for Hartswood Films, Bethan Jones for BBC Cymru Wales and Rebecca Eaton for Masterpiece.

Shooting on the special will begin in January 2015, with the series shooting later next year.

Are you excited to return to 221b Baker Street for another season of Sherlock? Leave your thoughts in the usual place!

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